Sunday, June 12, 2016

Weekend 3 Count 6.12.16 #WWE #NXT #TNA #ROH #Lucha #NJPW #GFW

Wrestling Lockup with Brandon, brought to you by Triple Threat CLE brings you the Weekend 3 Count. W3C brings you wrestling news, rumors and recaps from around the wrestling world. You'll find news and recaps involving WWE, NXT, TNA, ROH, Lucha Underground, GFW, NJPW, House of Hardcore and any Indy promotion that I find an interesting story or a cool discovery in. Be sure to check out the W3C every Sunday afternoon at @TripleThreatCLE.

*** WWE/NXT ***

- Brock Lesnar Competing At UFC 200: During UFC 199 last Saturday night, the UFC officially announced that former UFC World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar would return to fight against an opponent to be named later at UFC 200 on July 9 in Las Vegas. UFC announcers Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan confirmed it was accurate during the broadcast, but added no details. According to F4WOnline.com, Lesnar had an option put into his WWE contract earlier this year that would allow him to fight once for UFC. Sources stated that they heard that Lesnar was asking for more money and the compromise reached with Vince McMahon was for Lesnar to fight once in UFC. WWE released the following statement on Sunday morning:

"Brock Lesnar remains under contract to WWE, however, he has been granted a one-off opportunity to compete at UFC 200. Following this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21, live on WWE Network."

- Brock Lesnar's UFC 200 Opponent: It was announced on ESPN SportsCenter on Monday that Brock Lesnar's UFC return on July 9th at UFC 200 in Las Vegas will be against Mark Hunt. Lesnar stated that he had no hand in picking the opponent but he's never turned down a fight either. Lesnar went on and said he's a grappler at heart, Hunt is a hard-hitter, and he believes they match-up very well. Lesnar admitted he needs to work on his stand-up game but he's excited about the fight.

- UFC President Dana White Comments About Brock Lesnar: TMZ Sports caught up with UFC President Dana White after the announcement of Brock Lesnar fighting at UFC 200. White stated that he talked to Lesnar, who said that he's feeling like a million bucks and his training is going great. White admitted that being away from fighting for so long can be tough. Lesnar's last fight in the UFC was a first round TKO loss to Alistair Overeem in December of 2011.

- Triple H and Alberto Del Rio Issues?: According to Daily Wrestling News, Alberto Del Rio is unhappy with his place in WWE. Del Rio feels that he was doing so well before coming back. The problem for Del Rio is not on him, but it may be because of management. Reports claim that Triple H is the man to blame for Del Rio’s “de-push.” While Triple H sees Del Rio’s in-ring value, he has been rubbed wrong by him too many times in the past and simply cannot trust him. So it seems The Game sees something worthy of using in Del Rio, but doesn’t want him to go too far. Triple H apparently spoke to WWE Chairman Vince McMahon about the situation. He felt that Del Rio didn’t deserve a top spot on the card and warned him that Del Rio could be a problem backstage if he ends up getting what he wants. Triple H feels that Del Rio should not be given any kind of special treatment, power, or leverage while with WWE. Due to all of this going on, there is some worry that Alberto Del Rio might leave WWE, as he feels he could be utilized better elsewhere.

- New The Club Members Coming?: After AJ Styles officially rejoined Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson of The Club last week, WWE is looking at possibly adding two more members to WWE's version of The Bullet Club. Right now sources have said that after the brand extension and draft in July, WWE is thinking of adding both Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura to the faction. Let's not forget about the original leader of The Bullet Club, Finn Balor, will he ever rejoin his wrestling brothers or eventually fight against them?

- WWE Announces New VP Brand: WWE announced this week that Julia Jensen has been named as the new Vice President, Brand. She will report directly to WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.

- NXT Takeover: Brooklyn Still A Go: After much speculation over Ticketmaster pulling the event last month, NXT Takeover: Brooklyn is now confirmed for SummerSlam weekend this August from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The event will take place that Saturday, August 20th. Tickets go on sale this Saturday at noon. Triple H also took to Twitter and announced the great news for NXT fans.

- Elias Samson Injured: NXT up and comer, Elias Samson, was said to have suffered a left ankle injury at the NXT Nashville, Tennessee show last week. The injury occurred in a match against Manny Andrade off a bad Stun Gun spot. The referee threw up the X signal to identify that a legitimate injury had occurred. Samson was helped to the back and was reportedly unable to bear weight on his left leg.

- The Revival Makes NXT History: This past Wednesday at NXT Takeover: The End, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, aka The Revival, made NXT history. The Revival became the first two time NXT World Tag Team Champions. Be sure to check out my full recap of NXT Takeover: The End.

- New NXT Tag Team Debut: Just who was that new tag team that debuted at NXT Takeover: The End and viciously attacked Jason Jordan and Chad Gable? It was "The Authors of Pain" Sunny Dhinsa and Gzim Selmani, who have been working NXT live events for several months now. Dhinsa and Selmani were joined by WWE Hall of Famer, Paul Ellering, as their manager. Mr. Paul Ellering used to manage a team throughout the 80's and 90's that you might have heard of called The Road Warriors.

- Main Roster Jump: After losing the NXT World Tag Team Championship this past week at NXT Takeover: The End, there are rumors circulating that American Alpha, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable may be making the main roster jump soon. Both Jordan and Gable are over huge in NXT as a tag team and would benefit on the main roster.

*** TNA ***- TNA Impact Recap:
-- Matt Hardy cuts a promo and demands another TNA World Heavyweight Championship match against Drew Galloway. Galloway originally says no because he's preparing for Bobby Lashley, but Hardy finally talks Galloway into doing it.
-- Sienna defeated Madison Rayne, by pinfall with the AK-47, to become #1 contender to the TNA Knockouts Championship. After the match, Sienna attacked Madison until Jade made the save.
-- On Eli Drake's "Fact Of Life", Eli Drake officially announces he's fighting Bram at TNA Slammiversary. The Decay say that they will make The Bro-Mans Decay at TNA Slammiversary. The Bro-Mans arrive and say that they're kicking Decay ass. Grado and Mahabali Shera and Al Snow and The Tribunal come out as well and a huge brawl breaks out with all of the above involved.
-- Eli Drake, The Decay and The Tribunal defeated Bram, Grado, Mahabali Shera and The Bro-Mans, by pinfall, in a "Ten Man Tag Team Match". Drake hit Grado with the Lethal Lariat to pickup the victory.
-- Ethan Carter and Gail Kim defeated Mike Bennett and Allie, by pinfall, after Gail cradle pinned Allie. After the match, Sienna attacks Gail and works over her knee. Maria Bennett lands a steel chair shot on Gail's knee.
-- Trevor Lee defeated Eddie Edwards, by pinfall, to retain the TNA X-Division Championship. Andrew Everett helps Lee, DJ Z attacks Everett, Shane Helms lays out DJ Z and hits Edwards in the face with the title. Lee rolled up Edwards for the pinfall.
-- Braxton Sutter defeated a Local Independent Wrestler, by pinfall, with a leaping Flatliner.
-- Willow cuts a promo and says that the future awaits Matt Hardy’s fate, and the future is here. Surprises are unknown like it’s a predetermined war or the last chapter in the Bible. The Creatures await, they love, they hate, and they die for.
-- Drew Galloway defeated Matt Hardy, by DQ, to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, after Bobby Lashley attacked Galloway. After the match, Galloway and Lashley brawl all the way backstage. The lights go out and when they come back on everyone has a Willow mask on at ringside. Four more Willows appear and surround Matt Hardy and call The Matt Hardy Brand a joke. Jeff Hardy hits the ring and brawls with Matt Hardy to end the show.

- TNA Hosting 2017 World Cup?: There has been rumors making the rounds this week that there is a possibility that TNA will get to host the Wrestling World Cup in 2017. At this time nothing has been confirmed or made official as of yet.

- Maria Bennett Injury Update: A few weeks back, Maria Bennett tweeted out pictures of her broken hand that she currently has. Maria recently tweeted out on her Twitter that there would be no way that she can face Gail Kim at TNA Slammiversary this Sunday, due to her injury. There has been no word from TNA as of yet as to if this is true or not.

*** RING OF HONOR ***- ROH TV Recap:
-- Kazuchika Okada defeated Matt Sydal, by pinfall, after a Rainmaker.
-- Colt Cabana defeated Adam Page, by pinfall, with a cradle. After the match, Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga joined Page and they gave Cabana a 3-on-1 Bullet Club beat down.
-- Jay Lethal defeated Donovan Dijak, by pinfall, after Adam Cole and The Young Bucks hit a super kick trifecta on Dijak that set up the Lethal Injection. After the match, Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga hit the ring, but The Briscoes make the save.

- Women Of Honor: ROH officially announced that on July 8th, ROH will have its first live Women Of Honor show. The event will include ROH women's wrestlers and some up and coming independent talent.

*** LUCHA UNDERGROUND ***- Lucha Underground Recap:
-- Marty The Moth and Killshot go to a double count out, after brawling outside the ring. After the match, Marty steals Killshot's dog tags.
-- Drago and Aerostar defeated PJ Black and Jack Evans, by pinfall, in a Nunchucks Match.
-- Pentagon makes a surprise return, thanks Chavo Guerrero for supporting him and then attacks and breaks Chavo's arm. Dario Cueto announces that Pentagon will now replace Chavo in tonight's match.
-- Fenix, Ivelisse, King Cuerno, Taya, Johnny Mundo and Pentagon defeated Prince Puma, Texano, Sexy Star, Son of Havoc, Rey Mysterio and Mack, by pinfall, in a Ten Man Tag Team Match, after Mundo hit Puma with the C4. The winning team will now have a match against each other next week to determine a #1 contender to the Lucha Underground Championship.
-- Catrina is shown resurrecting Mil Muertes in Dario Cueto's lair, to end the show.

- Lucha Underground Wins World Cup: The 2nd annual Lucha Libre World Cup took place this week, held by Mexican promotion AAA. The Finals of the tournament came down to Team AAA (Pentagon, El Texano and Psycho Clown) and Team Lucha Underground (Johnny Mundo, Brian Cage and Chavo Guerrero). Team Lucha Underground picked up the victory to win the World Cup.

*** NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING ***

- Super Juniors Final: NJPW concluded their huge Best Of The Super Juniors Tournament this week. The Finals came down to Will Ospreay vs. Rysuke Taguchi Ospreay came out victorious, winning the tournament and earning a future IWGP Heavyweight Championship Math. Ospreay also became the youngest wrestler to win the tournament at age 23 and also the only wrestler to hail from Britain to win the tournament.

- Jay White Headed To ROH: New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that Jay White will be heading to Ring of Honor after this month's NJPW Dominion event.

- Kimbo Slice Passes: Over in the world of professional fighting, MMA Bellator's own Kimbo Slice, real name Kevin Ferguson, passed away on Monday due to heart failure. Kimbo was only 42. TMZ Sports first reported earlier on Monday that Kimbo was hospitalized in Coral Springs, Florida and that the situation didn't look good. He passed away shortly after.

Bellator CEO Scott Coker issued the following statement to TMZ:

"We are all shocked and saddened by the devastating untimely loss of Kimbo Slice, a beloved member of the Bellator family. One of the most popular MMA fighters ever, Kimbo was a charismatic, larger-than-life personality that transcended the sport. Outside of the cage he was a friendly, gentle giant and a devoted family man. HIs loss leaves us all with extremely heavy hearts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Ferguson family and all of Kimbo's friends, fans and teammates."

- Vince McMahon Interested In John Morrison: Sources are saying that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is interested in bringing back former ECW World Champion, WWE Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion, John Morrison. John Morrison is currently under contract with Lucha Underground as Johnny Mundo. With the brand extension and draft coming up in July, WWE is looking to reach out to former talent to sign.

- CM Punk Reality Show: Dave Meltzer of f4wonline.com noted this week that Fox Sports 1 is working on a reality show focusing on CM Punk’s UFC debut against Mickey Gall. The series is scheduled to air in August, indicating that Punk may finally debut in late August or September. Sources are saying that there is a possibility that Punk debuts at UFC 202 in August.

- Don't Be A Lemon: The wrestler formally known as Adam Rose in the WWE revealed on Twitter this week that he'd continue on with his life of the party gimmick on the independent wrestling scene. Rose announced that his new wrestling name will now be Aldo Rose and quoted his new gimmick as a "Ain’t no more PG in this party!” gimmick. The new Aldo Rose character will have a new feel to it and will likely be edgier than what we saw in WWE.

- Tommy End Signs With WWE: PWTorch has announced that international wrestler Tommy End has signed with WWE. End, who regularly competes in the U.S. for WWNLive and PWG, is expected to report to WWE in September. End has independent bookings through August before he shifts to WWE’s Performance Center.

- Edge And Beth Phoenix Have Second Child: WWE happily announced a congratulates to Edge and Beth Phoenix as they welcomed their second child on May 31, 2016, Ruby Ever Copeland.

- Moose At NXT Takeover: Sources have said that ROH's own Moose was backstage during the NXT Takeover: The End pay per view on Wednesday. Moose was also spotted hanging out with WWE's Apollo Crews earlier in the day. Moose’s contract with Ring of Honor expires next month and he’s one of the ROH stars WWE is looking to sign when he becomes a free agent.

And that's this week's W3C! Join me every Sunday afternoon as I bring you news, recaps and rumors all around the wrestling world!